ITALIAN GINGERBREAD HOUSE MEAT RECIPES

Steps:

• Cut the garlic into thin slivers. Pierce the meat in many places with the point of a knife and insert the garlic slivers into the holes.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a heavy 3- to 4-quart heatproof casserole. Add the meat and brown it well over medium heat. Remove it from the casserole. Add the remaining oil and the onions, carrots and celery. Saute them until moderately brown.
• Stir in the wine and cook for a few minutes, scraping the casserole. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and basil. Season the mixture with salt and pepper and return the meat to the casserole.
• Cover tightly and cook over very low heat for at least three hours, until the meat is very tender. Turn the meat a few times during cooking.
• Remove the meat from the casserole. To serve immediately, skim the fat from the surface of the sauce, then puree the sauce in a food processor and reheat. Otherwise, refrigerate the meat and sauce overnight. Remove any congealed fat from the sauce and puree the sauce in a food processor. Reheat the meat in the sauce before serving.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
• In medium bowl, mix Gingerbread Bar ingredients until mixed well. Spread evenly in pan (mixture will be thick). Bake 20 to 23 minutes or until set and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 45 minutes.
• In large bowl, beat cream cheese and 1/3 cup softened butter with electric mixer on medium speed 1 to 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally, until smooth and creamy. Beat in vanilla and powdered sugar until frosting is smooth and spreadable.
• Spread frosting on top of cooled bars; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving. To serve, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows.